JP4086497B2

JP4086497B2 - Equipment monitoring system

Info

Publication number: JP4086497B2
Application number: JP2001330699A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 康祐渋谷
Original assignee: TLV Co Ltd
Current assignee: TLV Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-29
Filing date: 2001-10-29
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-29
Also published as: JP2003132476A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は工場やプラントなどに配備される複数の機器（例えば、蒸気トラップに代表される弁類やポンプに代表される流体機器など）を監視する機器監視システムに関し、
詳しくは、複数の監視対象機器の夫々に機器状態検出用のセンサを装備するとともに、無線通信により中央管理装置と情報交換するセンサ管理用の複数の端末器を設けて、それら端末器にその各々が担当する監視対象機器の装備センサを接続し、これら端末器の夫々と前記中央管理装置との間での無線通信についてその中継を行なう複数の中継器を設ける機器監視システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の機器監視システム（例えば、米国特許第６，１４５，５２９号参照）では、複数の端末器及び複数の中継器を配備するシステム構成上で通信混乱を防止して端末器の夫々と中央管理装置との間での無線通信を円滑かつ効率的に行なうのに、端末器の夫々について中央管理装置との間での無線通信をいずれの中継器を用いた通信経路で行なうかを決定する必要があるが、従来、この通信経路の決定はシステムの構築者や管理者が人為的に行なっていた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、端末器の夫々について通信経路を決定するには、複数の端末器の夫々と複数の中継器の夫々との相互の配置関係を考慮しなければならず、また、工場やプラントなどでは無線通信の障害となる障害物が多いことから、単に端末器と中継器との離間距離や中継器どうしの離間距離だけに基づいて通信経路を決定することもできず、これらのことから、端末器の夫々についての通信経路を人為的に決定する従来のシステムでは、その経路決定作業に多大な時間と労力を要する問題があった。
【０００４】
この実情に鑑み、本発明の主たる課題は、合理的なシステム構成を採用することにより上記の問題を効果的に解消する点にある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
複数の監視対象機器の夫々に機器状態検出用のセンサを装備するともに、無線通信により中央管理装置と情報交換するセンサ管理用の複数の端末器を設けて、それら端末器にその各々が担当する監視対象機器の装備センサを接続し、
これら端末器の夫々と前記中央管理装置との間での無線通信についてその中継を行なう複数の中継器を設ける機器監視システムにおいて、
前記センサと前記端末器と前記中継器と前記中央管理装置とをシステム中に含むとともに、
前記中央管理装置と前記端末器との間での無線通信を各端末器についていずれの前記中継器を用いた単一の通信経路で行なうかを自動的に決定する通信経路決定手段を前記中央管理装置に設け、
この通信経路決定手段を、
前記中央管理装置から前記中継器の夫々に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し前記中央管理装置への応答通信があった中継器を中継段位の最も高い中継器として決定する初期工程を実行し、
この初期工程の実行後、前工程で段位決定した中継器を呼掛側中継器にして、その呼掛中継器による中継の下で、呼掛中継器から段位未決定の中継器に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信があった中継器を、その応答通信を受けた呼掛側中継器の１つに対する下位中継器として決定する後続工程を繰り返す構成にしてもよい。
【０００６】
つまり、この構成によれば、複数の端末器の夫々について中央管理装置との間での無線通信をいずれの中継器を用いた通信経路で行なうかが通信経路決定手段により自動的に決定されるから、その通信経路の決定を人為的に行なう従来システムに比べ、端末器の夫々についての通信経路の決定に要する時間及び労力を大きく削減することができ、これにより、システムの構築を容易にするとともに、その構築コストも大巾に低減することができる。
【０００７】
そしてまた、通信経路決定手段により決定される端末器夫々についての単一通信経路を用いて各端末器と中央管理装置との間で無線通信を行なうから、複数の端末器及び複数の中継器を配備する形態を採りながらも通信混乱を効果的に防止した状態で、端末器の夫々と中央管理装置との間での無線通信を円滑かつ効率的に行なうことができる。
【０００９】
そして、端末器の夫々について単一の通信経路を自動的に決定するのに、上記構成では、前記通信経路決定手段を、前記中央管理装置から前記中継器の夫々に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し前記中央管理装置への応答通信があった中継器を中継段位の最も高い中継器として決定する初期工程を実行し、この初期工程の実行後、前工程で段位決定した中継器を呼掛側中継器にして、その呼掛側中継器による中継の下で、呼掛側中継器から段位未決定の中継器に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信があった中継器を、その応答通信を受けた呼掛側中継器の１つに対する下位中継器として決定する後続工程を繰り返す構成にしてある。
【００１０】
つまり、この構成では、上記初期工程の実行により、配備の複数中継器のうち中央管理装置との非中継の相互通信（すなわち、中継器を介さない直接の相互無線通信）が可能な最上位の中継器を自動的に選定する。
【００１１】
また、この初期工程の実行後、上記後続工程を繰り返すことにより、中継段位を順次に下げて行く形態で各中継段位ごとに、前工程で段位決定した上位の中継器を介して中央管理装置と相互通信することができる下位の中継器を、その各々についての直属の上位中継器を１つに限った状態で自動的に選定し、これにより、端末器の夫々について中央管理装置との間での無線通信を単一の通信経路で行なうための樹枝状の中継経路網（中央管理装置を根元側とする樹枝状の中継経路網）を自動的に決定する。
【００１２】
すなわち、この構成によれば、中継段位順に順を追った試行通信の実施で上位中継器と通信可能な下位の中継器を順次に選出していくから、同じく中央管理装置と各中継器との間での試行通信、及び、中継器どうしの間での試行通信の結果に基づき中継経路網を自動的に決定するにしても、それら試行通信を中継段位順によらず総当り的に行なって、その総当り的な試行通信の結果に基づき樹枝状の中継経路網を決定する方式に比べ、端末器夫々についての通信経路を形成する樹枝状の中継経路網を一層能率良く短時間にまた一層的確に自動決定することができる。
【００１３】
なお、上記構成において、端末器夫々についての単一の通信経路を決定するのに、それら端末器の夫々を中継経路網中のいずれの中継器の管轄にするかの部分については、各中継器と各端末器との間での試行通信の結果などに基づき、各端末器を管轄する中継器を自動的に決定する方式、あるいはまた、各端末器を管轄する中継器を人為的に定める方式のいずれを採用してもよい。
【００１４】
また、上記構成を実施するのに、初期工程で中央管理装置から呼掛通信する中継器や各回の後続工程で各上位中継器から呼掛通信する中継器を、中央管理装置と中継器との配置関係や中継器どうしの配置関係等に基づき予め人為的にある程度の数の特定中継器に限っておくようにしてもよい。
【００１５】
前記中継器の夫々を、前記後続工程の繰り返しごとに、自身と同一の通信経路を担うものとなる中継器を連係中継器として自身の記憶部に追加登録する構成にしてもよい。
【００１６】
つまり、この構成によれば、中継段位順に順を追って下位中継器を順次に決定する前記後続工程の繰り返しごとに、各中継器自身が自身と同一の通信経路を担うものとなる中継器を連係中継器として自身の記憶部に追加登録するから、後続工程の繰り返しによる中継経路網全体の決定を終えた段階では既に、各中継器は自身と同一の通信経路を担う連係中継器を把握している状態になる。
【００１７】
したがって、例えば後続工程の繰り返しにより中継経路網全体の決定を終えた後に、中継経路情報を通信により中央管理装置から各中継器に付与して各中継器と同一の通信経路を担う連係中継器を各中継器に認知させる方式に比べ、中継経路網全体の決定後における通信上の必要処理を削減することができ、その分、システムの実用稼動への移行を簡単にし得るとともに、上記必要処理の為の実行プログラムも簡単にすることができ、これらの点でシステムの構築を一層容易にすることができる。
【００１８】
前記通信経路決定手段を、１つの前記中継器から前記端末器に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信が無かった端末器については、呼掛側中継器を変更して非中継の呼掛通信を行ない、これら呼掛通信の夫々で、呼掛側中継器への応答通信があった端末器を、その応答通信を受けた呼掛側中継器の管轄端末器として決定する構成にしてもよい。
【００１９】
つまり、この構成では、第１の呼掛通信として１つの中継器から端末器に非中継の呼掛通信を行ない、この第１の呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信があった端末器を、その第１の呼掛通信を行なうとともにそれに対する応答通信を受けた中継器の管轄端末器として自動的に決定する。
【００２０】
また、第１の呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信が無かった端末器については、呼掛側中継器を他の１つの中継器に変更して非中継の第２の呼掛通信を行ない、この第２の呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器への応答通信があった端末器を、その第２の呼掛通信を行なうとともにそれに対する応答通信を受けた中継器の管轄端末器として自動的に決定する。
【００２１】
そして以下同様に、応答通信の無かった端末器について呼掛側中継器を順次変更して非中継の呼掛通信を行なうようにし、これら呼掛通信の夫々で応答通信のあった端末器を、そのときの呼掛通信を行なうとともにそれに対する応答通信を受けた中継器の管轄端末器として自動的に決定する。
【００２２】
すなわち、この構成では、応答通信の無かった端末器についてのみ呼掛側中継器を変更して再度の呼掛通信を行なう試行通信形態で、各端末器を管轄する中継器を順次に決定するから、同じく各中継器と各端末器との間での試行通信の結果に基づき、各端末器を管轄する中継器を自動的に決定するにしても、各中継器と各端末器との間での試行通信を総当り的に行なって、その総当り的な試行通信の結果に基づき、各端末器を管轄する中継器を決定する方式に比べ、各端末器を管轄する中継器を一層能率良く短時間に自動決定することができる。
【００２３】
なお、上記構成と前述の中継経路網を自動的に決定する構成を並行実施すれば、端末器の夫々についての単一の通信経路を中央管理装置と各端末器との間の全行程について自動的に決定することができて、システム構築の容易化を極めて効果的に達成できるが、場合によっては、端末器の夫々について単一の通信経路を決定するのに、各端末器をいずれの中継器の管轄にするかの決定のみを上記構成により自動的に行なって、中央管理装置と中継器との間の通信及び中継器どうしの間の通信を担う中継経路網については人為的に決定するようにしてもよい。
【００２４】
なお、上記構成を実施するのに、各中継器から呼掛通信する端末器を、各中継器と各端末器との配置関係等に基づき予め人為的にある程度の数の特定端末器に限っておくようにしてもよい。
〔１〕請求項１に係る発明は機器監視システムに係り、その特徴は、
複数の監視対象機器の夫々に機器状態検出用のセンサを装備するともに、無線通信により中央管理装置と情報交換するセンサ管理用の複数の端末器を設けて、それら端末器にその各々が担当する監視対象機器の装備センサを接続し、
これら端末器の夫々と前記中央管理装置との間での無線通信についてその中継を行なう複数の中継器を設ける機器監視システムであって、
前記センサと前記端末器と前記中継器と前記中央管理装置とをシステム中に含むとともに、
前記中央管理装置と前記端末器との間での無線通信を各端末器についていずれの前記中継器を用いた単一の通信経路で行なうかを自動的に決定する通信経路決定手段を設け、
前記通信経路決定手段を構成するのに、
前記中央管理装置から前記中継器の夫々に非中継の呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し中央管理装置への応答通信があったかどうかを判定し、応答通信があったと判定した全ての中継器を中継段位の最も高い中継器として決定する初期工程と、
この初期工程の実行後、前工程で段位決定した中継器を呼掛側中継器にして、その呼掛側中継器と段位未決定の中継器との間の通信状態が非中継となる状態で、呼掛側中継器による中継を介して前記中央管理装置から段位未決定の中継器の夫々に呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器による中継を介して中央管理装置への応答通信があったかどうかを判定し、応答通信があったと判定した全ての中継器を、その呼掛側中継器の１つに対する下位中継器として決定する後続工程を繰り返して中継経路網を決定する工程と、
この中継経路網を決定する工程の実行後、段位決定済の１つの中継器を呼掛側中継器にして、その呼掛側中継器と前記端末器との間の通信状態が非中継となる状態で、呼掛側中継器による中継を介して前記中央管理装置から端末器の夫々に呼掛通信を行なって、この呼掛通信に対し呼掛側中継器による中継を介して中央管理装置への応答通信があったかどうかを判定し、応答通信が無かったと判定した端末器については、呼掛側中継器を変更して前記呼掛通信を行ない、これら呼掛通信の夫々で、呼掛側中継器による中継を介して中央管理装置に応答通信があったと判定した全ての端末器を、その応答通信を中継した呼掛側中継器の管轄端末器として決定する工程と、
を前記中央管理装置の演算制御部に実行させる経路決定プログラムを中央管理装置の記憶部に格納してある点にある。
〔２〕請求項２に係る発明は、請求項１に係る発明の実施に好適な実施形態を特定するものであり、その特徴は、
前記中継器の夫々を、前記後続工程の繰り返しごとに、自身と同一の通信経路を担うものとなる中継器を連係中継器として自身の記憶部に追加登録する構成にしてある点にある。
【００２５】
〔３〕請求項３に係る発明は、請求項１又は２に係る発明の実施に好適な実施形態を特定するものであり、その特徴は、
前記通信経路決定手段を、前記中継器又は前記端末器からの応答通信の信号強度が設定値以上のときのみ、その応答通信があったと判定する構成にしてある点にある。
【００２６】
つまり、この構成では、請求項１に係る発明における初期工程や後続工程での各中継器への呼掛通信、又は、各端末器への呼掛通信で、それら呼掛通信に対する中継器や端末器からの応答通信の信号強度が設定値以上のときのみ（略言すれば、それら中継器や端末器との試行通信が一定以上に良好であったときのみ）、その応答通信があったものと判定して、前述の如き各段位の中継器の自動決定や管轄端末器の自動決定を行なうようにする。
【００２７】
すなわち、このことにより、請求項１に係る発明による中継経路網の自動決定や管轄端末器の自動決定を、極力良好な無線通信機能を確保する上で一層的確かつ効果的なものにすることができる。
【００２８】
〔４〕請求項４に係る発明は、請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に係る発明の実施に好適な実施形態を特定するものであり、その特徴は、
前記通信経路決定手段を、通信経路の決定段階で最終的に応答通信の無かった前記中継器又は前記端末器を報知する構成にしてある点にある。
【００２９】
つまり、この構成では、請求項１に係る発明での各中継器への呼掛通信、又は、請求項３に係る発明での各端末器への呼掛通信で、最終的にそれら呼掛通信に対する応答通信の無かった中継器や端末器（すなわち、通信が行なえなかった中継器や端末器）を報知する。
【００３０】
すなわち、このように最終的に応答通信の無かった中継器や端末器を報知することで、システムの構築者や管理者はその報知により、それら最終的に応答通信の無かった中継器や端末器を容易に認知することができて、それら中継器や端末器の配置変更などの対応処置を容易かつ適切に行なうことができる。
【００３１】
なお、上記の報知については、例えば、最終的に応答通信の無かった中継器や端末器の識別情報を中央管理装置で表示する方式、あるいは、応答通信のあった中継器や端末器で装備灯を点灯又は点滅させることで逆に装備灯の点灯や点滅がない中継器や端末器を最終的に応答通信の無かった中継器や端末器としてシステムの構築者や管理者に認知させる方式など、種々の報知方式を採用することができる。
【００３２】
〔５〕請求項５に係る発明は、請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に係る発明の実施に好適な実施形態を特定するものであり、その特徴は、
前記中継器又は前記端末器を、前記通信経路決定手段による通信経路の決定後において、自身が受信する信号の信号強度が設定値未満になったとき、又は、自身からの信号送信で送信エラーによる再送信の回数が設定回数以上になったとき警報を発する構成にしてある点にある。
【００３３】
つまり、この構成によれば、上記警報によりシステムの管理者や構築者は、その警報のあった中継器や端末器が通信経路の自動決定後に何らかの原因で通信不良や通信不能の状態になったことを認知することができ、また、そのような状態になった中継器や端末器がいずれのものかも容易に認知することができ、これにより、それら中継器や端末器の配置変更あるいは通信経路の再決定などの対応処置を容易かつ適切に行なうことができる。
【００３４】
なお、上記の警報については、装備灯を点灯又は点滅させる方式や、警報音を発信させる方式など、種々の警報方式を採用することができる。
【００３５】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１は工場やプラント等に分散配備された多数の蒸気トラップ１の状態を無線通信を用いて監視する監視システムを示し、監視対象機器である蒸気トラップ１の夫々に状態検出用のセンサ２を装備するとともに、無線通信により中央管理装置３と情報交換するセンサ管理用の複数の端末器４を各々の担当トラップ１の近傍に位置させて配備し、これら端末器４に各々の担当トラップ１の装備センサ２をリード線５を介して接続してある。
【００３６】
また、複数の中継器６を分散配備し、これら中継器６により端末器４の夫々と中央管理装置３との間での無線通信（本例ではスペクトル拡散方式の無線通信）を中継する。
【００３７】
端末器４には、図２に示す如く、１つのセンサ２の接続のみが可能なシングル用端末器４Ｓと、複数のセンサ２の並列接続が可能なマルチ用端末器４Ｍとの二種があり、いずれの端末器４（４Ｓ，４Ｍ）も、図３に示す如く、マイクロプロセッサを用いたデジタル回路部７、センサ２を接続するアナログ回路部８、アンテナ９ａを用いて情報の送受信を行なう通信部９、アナログ回路部８及び通信部９への供給電力を制御する電源制御部１０、電源電池１１、設定情報などを記憶する記憶部１２、ＬＥＤを用いた警報灯１３を備えており、マルチ用端末器４Ｍのアナログ回路部８には、複数の接続センサ２の検出情報を順次に入力するための入力切換用スイッチ回路８ａを設けてある。
【００３８】
各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、中央管理装置３から無線通信により付与された設定情報に従い設定時間ΔＴｉ（例えば１分間〜２４時間の間の範囲から選定した時間）ごとに、あるいは設定時刻Ｔｔに、アナログ回路部８を電源制御部１０による供給電力制御により休眠状態から覚醒状態にして、接続センサ２の検出情報を入力（マルチ用端末器４Ｍでは、デジタル回路部７による入力切換用スイッチ回路８ａの操作により複数の接続センサ２の検出情報を順次に入力）し、この入力工程の後、電源制御部１０による供給電力制御によりアナログ回路部８を再び休眠状態に戻す。また、入力したセンサ検出情報はデジタル回路部７で処理する。
【００３９】
そして、センサ検出情報の入力に続き、各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、通信部９を同じく電源制御部１０による供給電力制御により休眠状態から覚醒状態にして、デジタル回路部７で処理したセンサ検出情報を中央管理装置３へ送信するとともに中央管理装置３からの指示情報を受信し、この送受信工程の後、電源制御部１０による供給電力制御により通信部９を再び休眠状態に戻す。
【００４０】
つまり、このようにアナログ回路部８及び送信部９を供給電力制御により必要時にのみ覚醒状態にすることで消費電力を節減し、これにより電源電池１１の交換を長期間にわたって不要にする。
【００４１】
なお、各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、通信部９が休眠状態下において自身宛ての中央管理装置３からの信号を受信したときには、それに対する対応のために通信部９を一時的に覚醒状態にする。
【００４２】
また、各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、電源電池１１の出力電圧及び通信部９で受信する信号の信号強度を監視するとともに、中央管理装置３からの指示に従って接続センサ２の機能チェック及び端末器各部の機能チェックを行ない、電源電池１１の出力電圧が設定値未満に低下したときや、受信信号の信号強度が設定値未満になったとき、あるいはまた、接続センサ２及び端末器各部の機能チェックで異常が検出されたとき、異常信号を中央管理装置３に送信するとともに警報灯１３を点滅して、それらの事態をシステムの管理者に報知する。
【００４３】
センサ２には振動温度用センサ２Ａと振動用センサ２Ｂと温度用センサ２Ｃとの三種があり、振動温度用センサ２Ａはトラップ１の超音波レベルの振動ｄとトラップ１の温度ｔｓとトラップ１の周囲温度ｔｏとの三者を検出し、振動用センサ２Ｂはトラップ１の超音波レベルの振動ｄのみを検出し、温度用センサ２Ｃはトラップ１の温度ｔｓとトラップ１の周囲温度ｔｏとの二者のみを検出するものであり、各トラップ１の形式や監視項目に応じて、これら三種のセンサ２Ａ〜２Ｃのうちのいずれかを各トラップ１に装備する。
【００４４】
また、各端末器４のアナログ回路部８へは上記センサ２Ａ〜２Ｃに限らず、各トラップ１を装備した蒸気系への蒸気供給管１４に介装された弁１５の開閉状態ｏｓを検出する開閉センサ１６（あるいは、それら蒸気供給管１４の管内圧力ｐや各トラップ１に接続された復水流入管１７の管内圧力ｐを検出する圧力センサ１８）をリード線５を介して接続することができる。
【００４５】
各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、センサ検出情報を入力する各回の入力工程において各接続センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）につき、センサ種別に関係なく、トラップ振動ｄの検出情報、トラップ温度ｔｓの検出情報、トラップ周囲温度ｔｏの検出情報、弁開閉状態ｏｓ（ないし管内圧力ｐ）の検出情報の夫々を設定周期ΔＴｓ（例えば４０ｍｓ）で設定回数ｎだけサンプリングする構成にしてあり、この構成に対し、各検出情報ｄ，ｔｓ，ｔｏ，ｏｓ（ｐ）のサンプリング回数ｎを中央管理装置３からの指示により接続センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）ごとに設定することで、接続センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）の種別に対応する。
【００４６】
すなわち、振動温度用センサ２Ａについては弁開閉状態ｏｓ（ないし管内圧力ｐ）の検出情報についてのサンプリング回数ｎを０に設定し、振動用センサ２Ｂについてはトラップ温度ｔｓの検出情報、トラップ周囲温度ｔｏの検出情報、弁開閉状態ｏｓ（ないし管内圧力ｐ）の検出情報の夫々についてのサンプリング回数ｎを０に設定し、温度用センサ２Ｃについてはトラップ振動ｄの検出情報、弁開閉状態ｏｓ（ないし管内圧力ｐ）の検出情報の夫々についてのサンプリング回数ｎを０に設定し、弁開閉状態を検出する開閉センサ１６（ないし管内圧力を検出する圧力センサ１８）についてはトラップ振動ｄの検出情報、トラップ温度ｔｓの検出情報、トラップ周囲温度ｔｏの検出情報の夫々についてのサンプリング回数ｎを０に設定することで、各センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）につき不要なサンプリングを行なわないようにして、それらセンサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）の種別に対応する。
【００４７】
つまり、この方式を採ることで、端末器４の共通仕様化を図ってシステムコストの低減を可能にしながら、中央管理装置３からの通信による設定情報の付与だけで容易に接続センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）の種別に対応できるようにする。なお、センサ非接続の入力ポートについては、全てのセンサ検出情報ｄ，ｔｓ，ｔｏ，ｏｓ（ｐ）についてのサンプリング回数ｎを０に設定することで対応する。
【００４８】
そしてまた、各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、センサ検出情報を入力する各回の入力工程、及び、それに続く各回の送受信工程において、各接続センサ２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，１６（１８）から入力した検出情報ｄ，ｔｓ，ｔｏ，ｏｓ（ｐ）の夫々につき、各々ｎ個のサンプリングデータを平均化して、その平均化データを各々のセンサ検出情報として中央管理装置３に送信し、これにより、センサ検出情報として全てのサンプリングデータを中央管理装置３に送信するに比べ、送信データ量を少なくして一層の省電力化を図るとともに、複数の端末器４と中央管理装置３との間での通信の混雑を防止する。
【００４９】
また、各端末器４のデジタル回路部７は、振動温度用センサ２Ａ又は振動用センサ２Ｂから入力したトラップ振動ｄの検出情報に基づき、その振動検出情報についてのｎ回のサンプリングの期間中における対象トラップ１（特にディスク式トラップ）の作動回数ｍを検出し、この作動回数ｍの検出情報を他のセンサ検出情報とともに中央管理装置３へ送信する。
【００５０】
なお、各端末器４は電源電池１１に限らず、一般商用電源や自家用電源あるいは太陽電池などの補助電源も使用できる。
【００５１】
各中継器６は、図４に示す如く、マイクロプロセッサを用いたデジタル回路部１９、アンテナ２０ａを用いて情報の送受信を行なう通信部２０、一般商用電源ないし自家用電源からの供給電力を受ける受電部２１、設定情報などを記憶する記憶部２２、ＬＥＤを用いた警報灯２３、停電時用のバックアップ電池２４を備えており、各中継器６のデジタル回路部１９は、通信部２０が信号を受信すると、その受信信号に付されている識別符号と記憶部２２に記憶している各中継器６ごとの通信経路情報とに基づき、その受信信号を中継すべきか否かを判定し、そして、その受信信号が中継すべき信号であったときには、その受信信号を送信信号に変換して通信部２０から送信する中継処理を行なう。
【００５２】
各中継器６が自身の記憶部２２に記憶している通信経路情報は（図６参照）、自身と同一の通信経路を担う連係中継器６、自身を含む連係中継器６の上位下位の関係、及び、自身を含む連係中継器６夫々の管轄端末器４を示すもの（略言すれば通信上の道標）であり、各中継器６のデジタル回路部１９は、上記の判定に基づく中継処理として、中央管理装置３を宛先とする上り信号については、直轄の下位連係中継器６及び直轄の管轄端末器４からの受信信号のみを中継処理し、また、中央管理装置３からの下り信号については、直属の上位連係中継器６又は直属の中央管理装置３からの受信信号であって直轄の管轄端末器４又は下位連係中継器６の管轄端末器４又は下位連係中継器６を宛先とする受信信号のみを中継処理し、これにより、複数の端末器４と中央管理装置３との間での無線通信を端末器４の夫々について単一の通信経路で行なう。
【００５３】
つまり、この中継方式により端末器４と中央管理装置３との間での無線通信を端末器４の夫々について単一の通信経路で行なうことにより、複数の端末器４及び複数の中継器６を配備する形態を採りながらも通信混乱を効果的に防止した状態で、その無線通信を円滑かつ効率的に行なえるようする。
【００５４】
なお、中央管理装置３との位置関係によっては中継器６による中継を介さずに中央管理装置３と直接に無線通信を行なう端末器４もある。
【００５５】
また、各中継器６のデジタル回路部１９は、端末器４と同様、通信部２０で受信する信号の信号強度を監視するとともに、中央管理装置３からの指示に従って中継器各部の機能チェックを行ない、受信信号の信号強度が設定値未満になったときや中継器各部の機能チェックで異常が検出されたとき、異常信号を中央管理装置３に送信するととも警報灯２３を点滅して、それらの事態をシステムの管理者に報知する。
【００５６】
中央管理装置３は、図５に示す如く、マイクロプロセッサを用いた演算制御部２５及びハードディスク等を用いた記憶部２６を備えるパーソナル型のコンピュータ本体２７に、ディスプレイ装置２８、キーボード２９などの周辺装置とともに無線モデム３０を接続して構成してあり、この無線モデム３０を用いて中継器６や端末器４との無線通信を行なう。
【００５７】
中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５（コンピュータ本体２７の演算制御部）は、各端末器４から送られる前述のセンサ検出情報ｄ，ｔｓ，ｔｏ，ｏｓ（ｐ）や作動回数検出情報ｍに基づき、各蒸気トラップ１が正常、蒸気漏れ異常、詰まり異常、温度異常のいずれの状態にあるかを診断し、そして、異常が診断されたときには、異常トラップ１の識別符号、発生異常種、異常トラップの設置場所などの情報をディスプレイ装置２８に表示するとともに、異常トラップ１を担当する端末器４に対し警報灯１３の点滅を通信により指示する。
【００５８】
また、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、各トラップ１について、端末器４から送られるセンサ検出情報や作動回数検出情報とともに、それら検出情報に基づく上記診断の結果を記憶部２６内のトラップ監視用データベースに記録する。
【００５９】
なお、蒸気漏れ異常とは、蒸気トラップの本来機能として蒸気の流出を阻止しながら復水のみを排出することが要求されるのに対し蒸気が許容限度を超えて流出する異常であり、また、詰まり異常とは復水の排出が円滑に行なわれない異常であり、温度異常とはトラップ温度ｔｓないしトラップ周囲温度ｔｏが適正範囲を低下側ないし上昇側に逸脱する異常である。
【００６０】
また、詰まり異常は一般にトラップ内部における滞留復水の温度低下に伴う検出トラップ温度ｔｓの低下に基づいて検知するが、本システムでは、詰まり異常の検知精度が特に高く要求される蒸気トラップ１については、振動温度用センサ２Ａや温度用センサ２Ｃによるトラップ温度ｔｓの検出情報と、開閉センサ１６による弁開閉状態ｏｓの検出情報（ないしは、圧力センサ１８による管内圧力ｐの検出情報）との二者に基づいて詰まり異常を検知（診断）するようにしてあり、具体的には、蒸気供給管１４における介装弁１５が開き状態にある状況（ないしは、蒸気供給管１４や復水流入管１７の管内圧力ｐが設定値以上の状況）で検出トラップ温度ｔｓが設定値以下に低下したとき詰まり異常と判定する。
【００６１】
さらに、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、中継器６や端末器４から前述の機能チェックや信号強度低下などについて異常信号を受信したとき、それら異常中継器６や異常端末器４の識別符号、発生異常種、異常中継器６や異常端末器４の設置場所などの情報をディスプレイ装置２８に表示し、また、それら中継器６や端末器４での異常発生を記憶部２６内のシステム管理用データベースに記録する。
【００６２】
なお、中央管理装置３の記憶部２６には、無線モデム３０を用いた通信を含む上記の各処理を演算制御部２５に実行させるプログラムを格納してある。
【００６３】
一方、複数の端末器４と中央管理装置３との間での通信を端末器４の夫々について単一の通信経路で行なうのに、その通信経路の決定は中央管理装置３が経路決定プログラムに従って次の如く自動的に行なう。
【００６４】
すなわち、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、経路決定処理の実行を指示されると、記憶部２６内のシステム管理用データベースに予め入力されている各中継器６の登録情報に基づき、図７に示す如く、全ての中継器６に対して順次に非中継の呼掛通信ｃｓを行ない、この呼掛通信ｃｓに対し中央管理装置３への応答通信ａｓのあった中継器６を中継段位の最も高い中継器６（すなわち、他の中継器６を介さずに中央管理装置３と直接に無線通信する最上位の中継器）として決定する初期工程を実行する。
【００６５】
また、この初期工程に続き、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、図８から図９に示す如く、前工程で段位決定した中継器６を順次に呼掛側中継器６にして、その呼掛側中継器６による中継の下で、呼掛側中継器６から（詳しくは、呼掛側中継器６による中継を介して中央管理装置３から）段位未決定の中継器６（すなわち、未だ応答通信ａｓの無い中継器）の夫々に対し順次に非中継（すなわち、呼掛側中継器６と段位未決定の中継器６との間での無線通信に他の中継器６による中継を介さない状態）の呼掛通信ｃｓを行ない、この呼掛通信ｃｓに対し呼掛側中継器６への（詳しくは、呼掛側中継器６による中継を介して中央管理装置３への）応答通信ａｓのあった中継器６を、そのときの呼掛側中継器６の直轄の下位中継器６として決定する後続工程を繰り返し、これにより、各中継器６について直属の上位中継器６を１つに限った状態の図１０に示す如き樹枝状の中継経路網を自動的に決定する。
【００６６】
そして、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、この中継経路網の決定の後、記憶部２６内のシステム管理用データベースに予め入力されている各端末器４の登録情報に基づき、図１１に示す如く、各中継器６を順次に呼掛側中継器６にして、その呼掛側中継器６による中継の下で、呼掛側中継器６から（詳しくは、呼掛側中継器６による中継を介して中央管理装置３から）管轄未決定の端末器４（すなわち、未だ応答通信ａｓの無い端末器）の夫々に対し順次に非中継（すなわち、呼掛側中継器６と端末４との間での無線通信に他の中継器６による中継を介さない状態）の呼掛通信ｃｓを行ない、この呼掛通信ｃｓに対し呼掛側中継器６への（詳しくは、呼掛側中継器６による中継を介して中央管理装置３への）応答通信ａｓのあった端末器４を、そのときの呼掛側中継器６の管轄端末器４として決定する最終工程を実行する。
【００６７】
つまり、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、上記の初期工程及び後続工程による中継経路網の自動決定と、上記の最終工程による管轄端末器の自動決定とにより、中央管理装置３との間での無線通信を端末器４の夫々について単一の通信経路で行なうための図６に示す如き通信経路網を中央管理装置３と各端末器４との間の全行程について自動的に決定し、そして、この決定した通信経路網をシステム管理及び通信処理のための情報として記憶部２６内のシステム管理用データベースに登録する。
【００６８】
通信経路の決定において、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、上記の初期工程及び後続工程で最終的に応答通信ａｓの無かった中継器６があった場合、また、上記の最終工程で最終的に応答通信ａｓの無かった端末器４があった場合、それら最終的に応答通信ａｓの無かった中継器６や端末器４をディスプレイ装置２８での識別符号の表示及び設置場所の表示により報知する構成にしてあり、システムの構築者ないし管理者は、後続工程の終了段階で最終的に応答通信ａｓの無かった中継器６の報知があった際には、その中継器６の設置場所を調整する等の処置を行なった上で、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５に初期工程及びそれに続く後続工程を再実行させ、また、最終工程の終了段階で最終的に応答通信ａｓの無かった端末器４の報知があった際には、その端末器４や近傍中継器６の設置場所を調整する等の処置を行なった上で、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５に最終工程を再実行させる。
【００６９】
また、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、上記の初期工程、後続工程、最終工程の夫々において、中継器６や端末器４からの応答通信ａｓの信号強度が設定値以上のときのみ、その応答通信ａｓがあったと判定して各段位の中継器６の決定や管轄端末器４の決定を行なう構成にしてあり、これにより、上述の如き通信経路の自動決定を極力良好な無線通信機能を確保する上で一層的確かつ効果的なものにする。
【００７０】
さらにまた、各中継器６はデジタル回路部１９による処理により、前記後続工程の繰り返しごとに自身と同一の通信経路を担うものとなる中継器６を連係中継器６として上位下位の関係とともに自身の記憶部２２に追加登録することで、また、前記最終工程において自身を含む連係中継器６夫々の管轄端末器４を自身の記憶部２２に登録することで、中央管理装置３による通信経路の自動決定に並行して前述の如き各中継器６ごとの通信経路情報（通信上の道標）を自身の記憶部２２内に構築する構成にしてある。
【００７１】
以上、本実施形態において、中央管理装置３及び経路決定プログラムは、中央管理装置３と端末器４との間での無線通信を各端末器４についていずれの中継器６を用いた単一の通信経路で行なうかを自動的に決定する通信経路決定手段を構成する。
【００７２】
なお、本システムでは、中継器６を介さずに中央管理装置３と直接に無線通信を行なう非中継端末器４の決定も中央管理装置３が次の如く自動的に行なう。
【００７３】
すなわち、中央管理装置３の演算制御部２５は、前記初期工程に先立ち各端末器４に非中継の呼掛通信ｃｓを行ない、この呼掛通信ｃｓに対し中央管理装置３への応答通信ａｓのあった端末器４を非中継端末器４として決定する。
【００７４】
〔別実施形態〕
次に別実施形態を列記する。
【００７５】
前述の実施形態では、請求項１に係る発明を実施するのに、各回の後続工程の際、前工程で段位決定した中継器６を順次に呼掛側中継器６にして、その呼掛側中継器６から段位未決定の中継器６（未だ応答通信ａｓの無いの中継器）に呼掛通信ｃｓを行ない、その呼掛通信ｃｓに対し応答通信ａｓのあった中継器６を、そのときの呼掛側中継器６の下位中継器６として決定することで、各中継器６について直属の上位中継器６を１つに限った状態の中継経路網を決定するようにしたが、場合によっては、各中継器６について直属の上位中継器６を１つに限った状態の中継経路網を請求項１に係る発明により決定するのに、各回の後続工程において、前工程で段位決定した中継器６の夫々から段位未決定の中継器６に呼掛通信ｃｓを行なって、これら呼掛通信ｃｓに対し応答通信ａｓのあった中継器６を、適当な選定条件により、その応答通信ａｓを受けた呼掛側中継器６（複数の場合を含む）の１つに対する下位中継器６として決定するようにしてもよい。
【００７７】
さらにまた、各中継器６の管轄端末器４を自動的に決定するのに、場合によっては、各中継器６と各端末器４との間での試行通信を総当り的に行なって、その総当り的な試行通信の結果に基づき適当な決定条件にしたがって各中継器６の管轄端末器４を自動的に決定するようにしてもよい。
【００７８】
中継器６や端末器４を、通信経路の決定後において自身が受信する信号の信号強度が設定値未満になったとき警報を発するのに加え、あるいは、それに代え、通信経路の決定後において自身からの信号送信で送信エラーによる再送信の回数が設定回数以上になったとき警報を発する構成にしてもよい。
【００７９】
端末器４はシングル用端末器４Ｓあるいはマルチ用端末器４Ｍのいずれか一方のみにしてもよく、また、センサ接続数の異なる複数種のマルチ用端末器４Ｍを用いるようにしてもよい。
【００８０】
また、前述の実施形態では、監視対象機器１の近傍に配置した端末器４に対しリード線５を介してセンサ２を接続する例を示したが、これに代え、センサ２を組み付けた端末器４を監視対象機器１に対し取り付けて、その組み付けセンサ２により監視対象機器１の状態を検出するようにしてもよく、端末器４の具体的構造、及び、端末器４に対するセンサ２の具体的接続構造は夫々、種々の構成変更が可能である。
【００８１】
本発明の実施において、通信経路決定手段による通信経路の自動決定は、複数の端末器４の全てに対する新設的な通信経路の自動決定に限られるものではなく、決定済みの既設の通信経路網がある状況において端末器４や中継器６の追加設置があった場合に、それら追加の端末器４や中継器６に対する通信経路を例えば請求項１に係る発明の適用などをもって既設の通信経路網に対し自動的に追加するといった追加的な通信経路の自動決定、あるいはまた、決定済みの既設の通信経路網がある状況において端末器４や中継器６の配置変更があった場合に、既設の通信経路網のうち、それら配置変更の端末器４や中継器６に対する通信経路部分を例えば請求項１に係る発明の適用などをもって変更するといった一部変更的な通信経路の自動決定であってもよい。
【００８２】
経路決定プログラムは中央管理装置３の記憶部２６に常時格納してもよく、また、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ等に格納した状態で必要時にのみ中央管理装置３に付与するようにしてもよい。
【００８３】
端末器４と中央管理装置３との間での中継器６を用いた無線通信には、スペクトル拡散方式に限らず種々の方式を採用できる。
【００８４】
監視対象機器は蒸気トラップに限られるものではなく、弁、ポンプ、ファン、タンク、熱交換器、工作機器などであってもよく、本発明は種々の機器の監視に適用できる。
【００８５】
また、監視対象機器に装備するセンサも振動センサや温度センサに限られるものではなく、監視対象機器や監視目的に応じて種々のセンサを採用できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】監視システムの全体を示す概略平面図
【図２】端末器を示す斜視図
【図３】端末器の構成を示すブロック図
【図４】中継器の構成を示すブロック図
【図５】中央管理装置の構成を示す斜視図
【図６】通信経路網を示す図
【図７】通信経路網の決定過程を示す図
【図８】通信経路網の決定過程を示す図
【図９】通信経路網の決定過程を示す図
【図１０】通信経路網の決定過程を示す図
【図１１】通信経路網の決定過程を示す図
【符号の説明】
１監視対象機器（蒸気トラップ）
２センサ
３中央管理装置，通信経路決定手段
４端末器
６中継器
２２中継器の記憶部
ｃｓ呼掛通信
ａｓ応答通信[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device monitoring system that monitors a plurality of devices (for example, valves represented by steam traps and fluid devices represented by pumps) deployed in factories, plants, etc.,
Specifically, each of a plurality of devices to be monitored is equipped with a sensor for detecting a device state, and a plurality of terminals for sensor management for exchanging information with a central management device by wireless communication are provided, and each of these terminals is provided with each of the terminals. The present invention relates to a device monitoring system provided with a plurality of repeaters for connecting equipment sensors of devices to be monitored, which are in charge of the communication, and relaying wireless communication between each of these terminals and the central management device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of equipment monitoring system (see, for example, US Pat. No. 6,145,529), communication confusion is prevented in a system configuration in which a plurality of terminals and a plurality of repeaters are provided, and each terminal is centrally located. In order to smoothly and efficiently perform wireless communication with the management device, it is determined which relay device is used to perform wireless communication with the central management device for each terminal device. Although it is necessary, conventionally, the communication path is determined manually by a system builder or an administrator.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to determine the communication path for each of the terminal devices, the mutual arrangement relationship between each of the plurality of terminal devices and each of the plurality of repeaters must be taken into account. Since there are many obstacles that interfere with communication, the communication path cannot be determined based solely on the separation distance between the terminal unit and the repeater or the separation distance between the repeaters. In the conventional system for artificially determining the communication path for each of the above, there has been a problem that requires a lot of time and labor for the path determination work.
[0004]
In view of this situation, the main problem of the present invention is to effectively solve the above problem by adopting a rational system configuration.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  DuplicateEach of a number of devices to be monitored is equipped with a device status detection sensor and is provided with a plurality of sensor management terminals for exchanging information with the central management device by wireless communication, and each of these terminals is responsible for Connect the equipment sensor of the monitored device,
  Equipment monitoring system provided with a plurality of repeaters for relaying wireless communication between each of these terminals and the central management deviceIn
  The system includes the sensor, the terminal, the repeater, and the central management device,
  A communication path determining means for automatically determining which one of the repeaters is used to perform wireless communication between the central management apparatus and the terminal unit through a single communication path for each terminal unit; Provided in the device,
  This communication path determination means
  Non-relay interrogation communication is performed from the central management device to each of the repeaters, and the repeater that has responded to the central management device for the interrogation communication is determined as the repeater with the highest relay level. Perform the initial steps to
  After execution of this initial process, the repeater determined in the previous process is set as the interrogator-side repeater, and the relay of the interrogator is not relayed from the interrogator to the repeater whose level is not yet determined. The interrogation communication is performed, and the repeater that has responded to the interrogation side repeater in response to the interrogation communication is determined as a subordinate repeater for one of the interrogation side repeaters that has received the response communication. Configure to repeat subsequent processesAlso good.
[0006]
In other words, according to this configuration, it is automatically determined by the communication path determination means which of the relay terminals is used for wireless communication with the central management apparatus for each of a plurality of terminals. Therefore, it is possible to greatly reduce the time and labor required for determining the communication path for each terminal, compared to the conventional system that manually determines the communication path, thereby facilitating the construction of the system. At the same time, the construction cost can be greatly reduced.
[0007]
In addition, since wireless communication is performed between each terminal unit and the central management device using a single communication path for each terminal unit determined by the communication path determination unit, a plurality of terminal units and a plurality of relay units are provided. Wireless communication between each of the terminals and the central management device can be performed smoothly and efficiently in a state where communication disruption is effectively prevented while adopting the form of deployment.
[0009]
  And to automatically determine a single communication path for each of the terminals,In the above configuration,The communication path determination means performs non-relaying interrogation communication from the central management device to each of the repeaters, and relays the response communication to the central management device for the interrogation communication. The initial step of determining as the highest repeater is executed, and after the execution of this initial step, the repeater determined in the previous step is set as a caller-side repeater, under the relay by the caller-side repeater, The non-relaying interrogation communication is performed from the interrogating side repeater to the indeterminate stage repeater, and the intermediary that has responded to the interrogating side repeater for this interrogation communication is received by the response communication. The subsequent process of determining as a subordinate repeater for one of the interrogator repeaters is repeated.
[0010]
That is, in this configuration, by executing the initial process, the highest level capable of non-relay mutual communication (that is, direct mutual wireless communication not via the repeater) with the central management device among the plurality of deployed repeaters. Automatically select a repeater.
[0011]
In addition, after executing this initial process, the above subsequent processes are repeated, so that the relay level is sequentially lowered, and for each relay level, the central management device and the central management device are connected via the upper level relay determined in the previous process. The subordinate repeaters that can communicate with each other are automatically selected with only one superordinate repeater for each of them, so that each terminal unit can be selected with the central management unit. A dendritic relay route network (dendritic relay route network having the central management device as a root side) for performing the wireless communication in a single communication path is automatically determined.
[0012]
In other words, according to this configuration, lower-order repeaters that can communicate with the higher-order repeater are sequentially selected by performing trial communication in order of the relay stage, so that the central management device and each repeater are similarly selected. Even if the relay route network is automatically determined based on the result of the trial communication between the relays and the trial communication between the repeaters, the trial communication is performed brute force regardless of the relay rank order, Compared to the method of determining a dendritic relay route network based on the result of brute force trial communication, the dendritic relay route network that forms the communication route for each terminal is more efficiently and more accurately in a short time. Can be automatically determined.
[0013]
  In addition,The above configurationIn order to determine a single communication path for each of the terminals, a part of which relay apparatus in the relay path network each of the terminals is to be under the jurisdiction ofEachBased on the result of trial communication between the repeater and each terminal, etc., a method of automatically determining the repeater that has jurisdiction over each terminal, or the repeater that has jurisdiction over each terminal Any of the determined methods may be adopted.
[0014]
  Also,The above configurationIn order to implement the relay, the relay that performs interrogation communication from the central management device in the initial process and the relay that performs interrogation communication from each higher-order repeater in each subsequent process, the arrangement relationship and relay between the central management device and the relay The number of specific repeaters may be artificially limited in advance based on the arrangement relationship between the devices.
[0015]
  in frontEach repeater is configured such that each time the subsequent process is repeated, a repeater that bears the same communication path as itself is additionally registered in its own storage unit as a linked repeater.Good.
[0016]
In other words, according to this configuration, each repeater itself links the repeater, which bears the same communication path as itself, at each repetition of the subsequent process in which the lower repeaters are sequentially determined in the order of the relay stage. Since it is additionally registered in its own storage unit as a repeater, each repeater already knows the associated repeater that bears the same communication path as itself when it finishes determining the entire relay route network by repeating subsequent processes. It will be in a state.
[0017]
Therefore, for example, after finishing the determination of the entire relay route network by repeating the subsequent steps, the relay route information is assigned to each repeater from the central management device by communication, and the associated repeater that bears the same communication route as each repeater is provided. Compared to the method of allowing each repeater to recognize, it is possible to reduce the necessary communication processing after the determination of the entire relay route network. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the execution program for the system, and it is possible to further easily construct the system in these respects.
[0018]
  in frontThe communication path determination means performs non-relaying interrogation communication from the one repeater to the terminal, and for the terminal that has not responded to the interrogation relay for this interrogation communication, The non-relaying interrogation communication is performed by changing the interrogating side repeater, and each of the interrogation communications is connected to the terminal that has received the response communication to the interrogating side repeater. In the configuration to be determined as the terminal equipment of the side repeaterAlso good.
[0019]
That is, in this configuration, non-relaying interrogation communication is performed from one repeater to the terminal as the first interrogation communication, and there is response communication to the interrogation side repeater for this first interrogation communication. The terminal device is automatically determined as the responsible terminal device of the repeater that has performed the first interrogation communication and has received the response communication.
[0020]
For a terminal that does not respond to the first interrogation communication to the interrogator-side repeater, the interrogator-side repeater is changed to another one of the repeaters and the non-relayed second call is made. A terminal that has made a communication and responded to the second interrogator with a response to the interrogator repeater. Automatically determined as the terminal with jurisdiction.
[0021]
And in the same manner, in order to perform the non-relay interrogation communication by sequentially changing the interrogation side repeater for the terminal device that did not respond response, the terminal device that had response communication in each of these interrogation communication, At that time, the caller communication is performed and at the same time, the terminal is automatically determined as the jurisdiction terminal of the repeater that has received the response communication.
[0022]
That is, in this configuration, the repeater that manages each terminal device is sequentially determined in a trial communication mode in which the interrogation side repeater is changed only for the terminal device that has not received a response communication and the interrogation communication is performed again. Similarly, based on the result of trial communication between each repeater and each terminal, even if the repeater having jurisdiction over each terminal is automatically determined, between each repeater and each terminal Compared with the method of determining the repeater that manages each terminal device based on the results of the brute force trial communication, the repeater that manages each terminal device is more efficient. It can be automatically determined in a short time.
[0023]
  The above configuration and the above-mentionedConfiguration to automatically determine the relay route networkIf this is implemented in parallel, a single communication path for each terminal device can be automatically determined for the entire process between the central management device and each terminal device, which greatly facilitates system construction. However, in some cases, to determine a single communication path for each of the terminals, only determine which repeater each terminal is responsible for.The above configurationThe relay route network that carries out communication between the central management apparatus and the repeater and between the repeaters may be determined artificially.
[0024]
  In addition,The above configurationIn order to carry out the above, it is necessary to limit the number of terminals for interrogation communication from each repeater to a certain number of specific terminal devices artificially in advance based on the arrangement relationship between each repeater and each terminal. Also good.
  [1] The invention according to claim 1 relates to a device monitoring system, the feature of which is as follows:
  Each of a plurality of monitored devices is equipped with a device status detection sensor, and a plurality of sensor management terminals for exchanging information with the central management device by wireless communication are provided, and each of these terminals is responsible for Connect the equipment sensor of the monitored device,
  A device monitoring system comprising a plurality of repeaters for relaying wireless communication between each of these terminals and the central management device,
  The system includes the sensor, the terminal, the repeater, and the central management device,
  Provided is a communication path determining means for automatically determining which radio communication between the central management device and the terminal is to be performed on each terminal using a single communication path using the repeater,
  In configuring the communication path determining means,
  Non-relaying interrogation communication is performed from the central management device to each of the repeaters, and it is determined whether there is a response communication to the central management device for this interrogation communication. An initial step of determining the repeater as the highest repeater repeater;
  After the execution of this initial process, the repeater determined in the previous process is used as a caller-side repeater, and the communication state between the caller-side repeater and the relay whose stage has not been determined is non-relayed. The central management device performs interrogation communication to each of the relays whose stage is not yet determined through relaying by the interrogator-side repeater, and centrally manages the interrogation communication via relay by the interrogator-side relay. It is determined whether there has been a response communication to the device, and repeats the subsequent process of determining all the repeaters determined to have had the response communication as subordinate repeaters for one of the interrogating repeaters. A step of determining;
  After the execution of the step of determining the relay route network, one repeater whose stage has been determined is used as a caller-side repeater, and the communication state between the caller-side repeater and the terminal is not relayed. In this state, interrogation communication is performed from the central management device to each of the terminals via the relay by the interrogator-side repeater, and this interrogation communication is sent to the central management device via the relay by the interrogator-side repeater. For the terminal that has determined that there is no response communication, the caller side relay is changed to perform the caller communication, and the caller side relay is performed in each of these caller communication. Determining all terminals determined to have received response communication to the central management device via relay by a device as the responsible terminal device of the interrogating relay that relayed the response communication;
  Is stored in the storage unit of the central management device.
  [2) The invention according to claim 2 specifies a preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention according to claim 1, and its features are as follows:
  Each repeater has a configuration in which each repeater of the subsequent process additionally registers a repeater that assumes the same communication path as the associated repeater in its own storage unit.
[0025]
  [3) The invention according to claim 3 is the first or second aspect.The preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention according to the present invention is specified,
  The communication path determination means is configured to determine that there is a response communication only when the signal strength of the response communication from the repeater or the terminal is equal to or higher than a set value.
[0026]
  That is, in this configuration, interrogation communication to each repeater in the initial process and the subsequent process in the invention according to claim 1, orEachOnly when the signal strength of the response communication from the repeater or terminal to the call communication is greater than the set value in the call communication to the terminal (in short, trial communication with the repeater or terminal is not possible. Only when it is better than a certain level), it is determined that the response communication has been made, and the automatic determination of the repeaters at each stage and the automatic determination of the jurisdiction terminal as described above are performed.
[0027]
  That is, by this, automatic determination of the relay route network according to the invention of claim 1And tubeIt is possible to make the automatic determination of the terminal device more accurate and effective in securing the best wireless communication function as much as possible.
[0028]
  [4] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention described in claims 1-3.The embodiment suitable for carrying out the invention according to any one of the above is specified, and its features are as follows:
  The communication path determination means is configured to notify the repeater or the terminal device that finally did not respond in the communication path determination step.
[0029]
  In other words, in this configuration, the claim1Interrogation communication to each repeater in the invention according to claim, or claim3In the interrogation communication to each terminal device in the invention according to the above, finally the repeater or terminal device that has not responded to the interrogation communication (that is, the relay device or terminal device that could not communicate) is notified. .
[0030]
That is, by notifying the repeater or terminal device that finally did not have response communication in this way, the system builder or administrator can notify the repeater or terminal device that ultimately did not have response communication. Can be easily recognized, and corresponding measures such as changing the arrangement of the repeaters and terminals can be easily and appropriately performed.
[0031]
In addition, for the above notification, for example, the identification information of the repeater or terminal that did not finally receive response communication is displayed on the central management device, or the equipment light is displayed on the repeater or terminal that has received response communication. On the other hand, by turning on or flashing, the system builder or administrator recognizes a repeater or terminal that does not turn on or flash the equipment light as a repeater or terminal that did not finally respond. Various notification methods can be employed.
[0032]
  [5] The invention according to claim 5 provides the first to fourth aspects.The embodiment suitable for carrying out the invention according to any one of the above is specified, and its features are as follows:
  When the signal strength of the signal received by the repeater or the terminal is less than a set value after the communication path is determined by the communication path determining means, or due to a transmission error in signal transmission from itself The configuration is such that an alarm is issued when the number of retransmissions exceeds the set number.
[0033]
In other words, according to this configuration, the above-mentioned alarm causes the system administrator or the builder to be in a state of communication failure or inability to communicate for some reason after the automatic repeater or terminal unit of the alarm has been determined. And can easily recognize any of the repeaters and terminals that have entered such a state. It is possible to easily and appropriately take countermeasures such as re-determination.
[0034]
In addition, about said alarm, various alarm systems, such as the system which lights or blinks an equipment lamp, the system which transmits an alarm sound, can be employ | adopted.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a monitoring system for monitoring the state of a large number of steam traps 1 distributed in a factory or plant using wireless communication. A sensor 2 for detecting a state is provided for each steam trap 1 which is a monitoring target device. Equipped with a plurality of sensor management terminals 4 for exchanging information with the central management device 3 by wireless communication, located in the vicinity of each assigned trap 1, and each of the assigned traps 1 is arranged in these terminals 4. The equipment sensor 2 is connected via a lead wire 5.
[0036]
Also, a plurality of repeaters 6 are distributed and relayed between these terminals 4 and the central management apparatus 3 (in this example, spread spectrum wireless communication).
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2, there are two types of terminals 4, a single terminal 4 </ b> S capable of connecting only one sensor 2 and a multi terminal 4 </ b> M capable of connecting a plurality of sensors 2 in parallel. As shown in FIG. 3, each terminal device 4 (4S, 4M) performs communication of information transmission / reception using a digital circuit unit 7 using a microprocessor, an analog circuit unit 8 connecting the sensor 2, and an antenna 9a. Unit 9, analog circuit unit 8 and power source control unit 10 for controlling power supplied to communication unit 9, power source battery 11, storage unit 12 for storing setting information, alarm lamp 13 using LED, The analog circuit unit 8 of the terminal unit 4M is provided with an input switching switch circuit 8a for sequentially inputting detection information of the plurality of connection sensors 2.
[0038]
The digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal device 4 is set at a set time ΔTi (for example, a time selected from a range between 1 minute and 24 hours) or at a set time according to setting information given by the central management device 3 through wireless communication. At Tt, the analog circuit unit 8 is changed from the sleep state to the awake state by power supply control by the power supply control unit 10, and the detection information of the connection sensor 2 is input (in the terminal device for multi 4M, the input switching switch by the digital circuit unit 7). The detection information of the plurality of connection sensors 2 is sequentially input by operating the circuit 8a), and after this input step, the analog circuit unit 8 is returned to the sleep state again by the power supply control by the power supply control unit 10. The input sensor detection information is processed by the digital circuit unit 7.
[0039]
Then, following the input of the sensor detection information, the digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal device 4 processed the communication unit 9 from the sleep state to the awake state by the supply power control by the power supply control unit 10 and processed by the digital circuit unit 7. The sensor detection information is transmitted to the central management device 3 and the instruction information from the central management device 3 is received. After this transmission / reception process, the communication unit 9 is returned to the sleep state again by the power supply control by the power control unit 10.
[0040]
That is, the analog circuit unit 8 and the transmission unit 9 are thus brought into an awake state only when necessary by the supply power control, thereby reducing power consumption, thereby making it unnecessary to replace the power supply battery 11 over a long period of time.
[0041]
In addition, when the communication unit 9 receives a signal from the central management device 3 addressed to itself in the sleep state, the digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal device 4 temporarily wakes up the communication unit 9 in response to the signal. Put it in a state.
[0042]
In addition, the digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal 4 monitors the output voltage of the power battery 11 and the signal strength of the signal received by the communication unit 9, and checks the function of the connection sensor 2 according to the instruction from the central management device 3. A function check of each part of the terminal device is performed, and when the output voltage of the power supply battery 11 drops below the set value, when the signal strength of the received signal becomes less than the set value, or also, each of the connection sensor 2 and each part of the terminal device When an abnormality is detected by the function check, an abnormality signal is transmitted to the central management device 3 and the warning lamp 13 is blinked to notify the system administrator of the situation.
[0043]
There are three types of sensors 2, vibration temperature sensor 2A, vibration sensor 2B, and temperature sensor 2C. Vibration temperature sensor 2A includes ultrasonic vibration d of trap 1, temperature ts of trap 1, and trap 1 temperature. The vibration sensor 2B detects only the vibration level d of the ultrasonic level of the trap 1, and the temperature sensor 2C detects the two of the temperature ts of the trap 1 and the ambient temperature to of the trap 1. The trap 1 is equipped with one of these three types of sensors 2A to 2C according to the type of the trap 1 and the monitoring items.
[0044]
In addition, the analog circuit section 8 of each terminal 4 is not limited to the sensors 2A to 2C, but detects the open / closed state os of the valve 15 interposed in the steam supply pipe 14 to the steam system equipped with each trap 1. The open / close sensor 16 (or the pressure sensor 18 for detecting the pressure p of the steam supply pipe 14 and the pressure p of the condensate inflow pipe 17 connected to each trap 1) can be connected via the lead wire 5. .
[0045]
The digital circuit section 7 of each terminal device 4 detects the detection information of the trap vibration d for each connection sensor 2A, 2B, 2C, 16 (18) in each input step of inputting sensor detection information, regardless of the sensor type. The detection information of the trap temperature ts, the detection information of the trap ambient temperature to, and the detection information of the valve opening / closing state os (or the pressure in the pipe p) are each sampled a set number of times n at a set period ΔTs (for example, 40 ms), For this configuration, by setting the sampling number n of each detection information d, ts, to, os (p) for each connection sensor 2A, 2B, 2C, 16 (18) according to an instruction from the central management device 3, This corresponds to the type of connection sensor 2A, 2B, 2C, 16 (18).
[0046]
That is, for the vibration temperature sensor 2A, the sampling number n for the detection information of the valve open / close state os (or the pipe pressure p) is set to 0, and for the vibration sensor 2B, the detection information of the trap temperature ts, the trap ambient temperature to And the number of samplings n for the detection information of the valve open / close state os (or pipe pressure p) is set to 0, and for the temperature sensor 2C, the detection information of the trap vibration d, the valve open / close state os (or pipe inside) The sampling frequency n for each detection information of the pressure p) is set to 0, and the detection information of the trap vibration d, the trap temperature for the open / close sensor 16 (or the pressure sensor 18 for detecting the pressure in the pipe) for detecting the valve open / close state. The sampling number n for each of the detection information of ts and the detection information of the trap ambient temperature to is set to 0. And, each sensor 2A, 2B, so as not to perform an unnecessary sampling per 2C, 16 (18), corresponding to the type of the sensors 2A, 2B, 2C, 16 (18).
[0047]
In other words, by adopting this method, it is possible to easily connect the sensors 2A, 2B, 2B, 2B, and 4B by simply providing setting information by communication from the central management device 3 while reducing the system cost by making the terminal 4 common specifications. 2C, 16 (18) can be handled. Note that an input port that is not connected to a sensor is handled by setting the sampling count n for all sensor detection information d, ts, to, os (p) to 0.
[0048]
In addition, the digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal device 4 is input from each connection sensor 2A, 2B, 2C, 16 (18) in each input process of inputting sensor detection information and each subsequent transmission / reception process. For each of the detected information d, ts, to, os (p), each of n sampling data is averaged, and the averaged data is transmitted to the central management device 3 as each sensor detection information. Compared to transmitting all the sampling data as sensor detection information to the central management device 3, the amount of transmission data is reduced to further reduce power consumption, and between the plurality of terminals 4 and the central management device 3. Prevent communication congestion.
[0049]
In addition, the digital circuit unit 7 of each terminal 4 is based on the detection information of the trap vibration d input from the vibration temperature sensor 2A or the vibration sensor 2B, and the target during the sampling period n times for the vibration detection information. The number of operations m of the trap 1 (particularly the disk type trap) is detected, and the detection information of the number of operations m is transmitted to the central management device 3 together with other sensor detection information.
[0050]
In addition, each terminal device 4 can use not only the power supply battery 11 but auxiliary power supplies, such as a general commercial power supply, a private power supply, or a solar cell.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 4, each repeater 6 includes a digital circuit unit 19 using a microprocessor, a communication unit 20 that transmits and receives information using an antenna 20a, and a power receiving unit that receives power supplied from a general commercial power source or a private power source. 21, a storage unit 22 for storing setting information, an alarm lamp 23 using an LED, and a backup battery 24 for power failure, and the digital circuit unit 19 of each repeater 6 receives signals from the communication unit 20. Then, based on the identification code attached to the received signal and the communication path information for each repeater 6 stored in the storage unit 22, it is determined whether the received signal should be relayed, and the When the received signal is a signal to be relayed, a relay process is performed in which the received signal is converted into a transmission signal and transmitted from the communication unit 20.
[0052]
The communication path information stored in the storage unit 22 of each repeater 6 (see FIG. 6) is the relation of the upper and lower levels of the associated repeater 6 that bears the same communication path as itself and the associated repeater 6 that includes itself. , And the associated relay device 6 including itself (in short, a communication signpost), and the digital circuit unit 19 of each relay device 6 performs relay processing based on the above determination. As for the upstream signal destined for the central management device 3, only the received signals from the directly managed subordinate relay relay 6 and the directly managed terminal device 4 are relayed, and the downstream signal from the central management device 3 Is a received signal from the direct superordinate relay relay 6 or the direct central management device 3 and is directed to the supervising terminal 4 or the supervising terminal 4 or the subordinate relay relay 6 of the subordinate relay relay 6 Only the received signal is relayed, The wireless communication between the terminal device 4 and the central control apparatus 3 having for each of the terminal unit 4 carried out in a single communication path.
[0053]
In other words, wireless communication between the terminal device 4 and the central management device 3 is performed by a single communication path for each of the terminal devices 4 by this relay method, so that the plurality of terminal devices 4 and the plurality of relay devices 6 are connected. The wireless communication can be performed smoothly and efficiently in a state where communication disruption is effectively prevented while adopting the form of deployment.
[0054]
Depending on the positional relationship with the central management device 3, there is also a terminal device 4 that performs wireless communication directly with the central management device 3 without being relayed by the relay device 6.
[0055]
Similarly to the terminal device 4, the digital circuit unit 19 of each repeater 6 monitors the signal strength of the signal received by the communication unit 20, and checks the function of each part of the repeater according to an instruction from the central management device 3. When the signal strength of the received signal becomes less than the set value or when an abnormality is detected in the function check of each part of the repeater, the abnormality signal is transmitted to the central management device 3 and the alarm lamp 23 blinks. Inform the system administrator of the situation.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 5, the central management device 3 includes a personal computer main body 27 having a calculation control unit 25 using a microprocessor and a storage unit 26 using a hard disk, and peripheral devices such as a display device 28 and a keyboard 29. In addition, a wireless modem 30 is connected, and wireless communication with the repeater 6 and the terminal device 4 is performed using the wireless modem 30.
[0057]
The arithmetic control unit 25 (the arithmetic control unit of the computer main body 27) of the central management device 3 is based on the sensor detection information d, ts, to, os (p) and the operation frequency detection information m sent from each terminal device 4. Diagnose whether each steam trap 1 is normal, steam leakage abnormality, clogging abnormality, or temperature abnormality, and when the abnormality is diagnosed, the identification code of the abnormal trap 1, the generated abnormal species, the abnormal trap Is displayed on the display device 28 and the terminal device 4 in charge of the abnormal trap 1 is instructed to blink the warning lamp 13 by communication.
[0058]
In addition, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 sends, for each trap 1, the sensor detection information and operation count detection information sent from the terminal device 4, and the results of the diagnosis based on the detection information in the traps in the storage unit 26. Record in the monitoring database.
[0059]
Note that the steam leakage abnormality is an abnormality in which steam flows out beyond the allowable limit while it is required to discharge only condensate while preventing the outflow of steam as an original function of the steam trap, The clogging abnormality is an abnormality in which the condensate is not smoothly discharged, and the temperature abnormality is an abnormality in which the trap temperature ts or the trap ambient temperature to deviate from the appropriate range to the lower side or the higher side.
[0060]
In addition, a clogging abnormality is generally detected based on a decrease in the detected trap temperature ts accompanying a decrease in the temperature of the condensed condensate inside the trap. In this system, the steam trap 1 that requires a particularly high clogging abnormality detection accuracy is used. The detection information of the trap temperature ts by the vibration temperature sensor 2A and the temperature sensor 2C and the detection information of the valve open / close state os by the open / close sensor 16 (or the detection information of the pipe pressure p by the pressure sensor 18) The clogging abnormality is detected (diagnosed) based on this, and specifically, the situation in which the intervening valve 15 in the steam supply pipe 14 is in an open state (or the internal pressure of the steam supply pipe 14 or the condensate inflow pipe 17). When the detected trap temperature ts drops below the set value in a situation where p is equal to or higher than the set value, it is determined that the clogging is abnormal.
[0061]
Furthermore, when the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 receives an abnormal signal from the repeater 6 or the terminal unit 4 regarding the above-described function check or signal strength reduction, the abnormal control unit 6 or the abnormal terminal unit 4 is identified. Information such as the code, the type of abnormality that has occurred, the installation location of the abnormal repeater 6 and the abnormal terminal 4 is displayed on the display device 28, and the occurrence of abnormalities in the repeater 6 and terminal 4 is stored in the system in the storage unit 26. Record in the management database.
[0062]
The storage unit 26 of the central management device 3 stores a program that causes the arithmetic control unit 25 to execute each of the processes including communication using the wireless modem 30.
[0063]
On the other hand, when communication between a plurality of terminals 4 and the central management device 3 is performed for each of the terminal devices 4 through a single communication path, the central management device 3 determines the communication path according to the path determination program. Automatically done as follows.
[0064]
That is, when the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 is instructed to execute the route determination process, the arithmetic control unit 25 performs processing based on the registration information of each repeater 6 input in advance in the system management database in the storage unit 26. 7, non-relay interrogation communication cs is sequentially performed with respect to all the repeaters 6, and the repeater 6 having the response communication as to the central management device 3 is relayed to the interrogation communication cs. The initial step of determining as the highest repeater 6 (that is, the highest-order repeater that directly performs wireless communication with the central management device 3 without passing through another repeater 6) is executed.
[0065]
  Further, following this initial step, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 sequentially turns the repeaters 6 determined in the previous step into interrogation-side repeaters 6, as shown in FIGS. From the interrogator-side repeater 6 under the relay by the interrogator-side repeater 6(For details, from the central management device 3 via the relay by the interrogator 6)Non-relay in sequence for each of the repeaters 6 whose stage is not yet determined (that is, repeaters that do not yet have a response communication as)(In other words, wireless communication between the interrogator-side repeater 6 and the stage-undecided repeater 6 is not relayed by another repeater 6)The interrogation communication cs is performed and the interrogation communication cs is sent to the interrogation side repeater 6.(For details, to the central management device 3 via the relay by the interrogator 6)The subsequent process of determining the repeater 6 with the response communication as as the lower repeater 6 under the direct control of the interrogating repeater 6 at that time is repeated, whereby the upper repeater 6 directly belonging to each repeater 6 is changed. A tree-like relay route network as shown in FIG. 10 in a state limited to one is automatically determined.
[0066]
  Then, after the determination of the relay route network, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 performs the processing shown in FIG. 11 based on the registration information of each terminal device 4 that is input in advance in the system management database in the storage unit 26. As shown in the figure, each repeater 6 is made into a call side repeater 6 in order, and under the relay by the call side repeater 6,(For details, from the central management device 3 via the relay by the interrogator 6)Non-relay in order for each terminal 4 that has not yet been determined (that is, a terminal that does not yet have a response communication as)(That is, a state where the wireless communication between the interrogator-side repeater 6 and the terminal 4 is not relayed by another repeater 6)The interrogation communication cs is performed and the interrogation communication cs is sent to the interrogation side repeater 6.(For details, to the central management device 3 via the relay by the interrogator 6)The final step of determining the terminal device 4 with the response communication “as” as the jurisdiction terminal device 4 of the interrogating repeater 6 at that time is executed.
[0067]
In other words, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 performs the communication with the central management device 3 through the automatic determination of the relay route network by the initial process and the subsequent process and the automatic determination of the jurisdiction terminal by the final process. A communication path network as shown in FIG. 6 for performing wireless communication in the terminal 4 with a single communication path is automatically determined for the entire process between the central management apparatus 3 and each terminal 4. The determined communication route network is registered in the system management database in the storage unit 26 as information for system management and communication processing.
[0068]
In the determination of the communication path, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 determines that there is a repeater 6 that finally has no response communication as in the initial process and the subsequent process, or the final process in the final process. If there is a terminal device 4 that does not have a response communication “as”, the relay device 6 or terminal device 4 that finally has no response communication “as” is notified by displaying an identification code on the display device 28 and an installation location. When the system builder or administrator finally notifies the repeater 6 that has not received the response communication “as” at the end of the subsequent process, the system builder or administrator determines the installation location of the repeater 6. After taking measures such as adjustment, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 re-executes the initial process and the subsequent process, and finally there was no response communication as at the end stage of the final process. Report of terminal 4 When there is the above was subjected to treatment such as adjusting the location of the terminal device 4 and the near repeater 6, to re-execute the last step in the calculation control unit 25 of the central control apparatus 3.
[0069]
In addition, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 performs the above-described initial process, subsequent process, and final process only when the signal strength of the response communication as from the repeater 6 or the terminal device 4 is equal to or higher than a set value. It is determined that the response communication “as” has occurred, and the determination of the repeater 6 at each stage and the determination of the jurisdiction terminal 4 is made. As a result, the above-described automatic determination of the communication path is performed as much as possible. Make sure that it is more effective and effective.
[0070]
Furthermore, each repeater 6 is processed by the digital circuit unit 19, and each repeater of the subsequent process takes the same communication path as itself as the linkage repeater 6, together with its upper and lower relationships. By registering additionally in the storage unit 22, and by registering the jurisdiction terminal 4 of each of the linked repeaters 6 including itself in the storage unit 22 in the final process, the central management device 3 automatically performs communication path control. In parallel with the determination, the communication path information (communication signpost) for each repeater 6 as described above is constructed in its own storage unit 22.
[0071]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the central management device 3 and the route determination program perform wireless communication between the central management device 3 and the terminal device 4 using a single communication device that uses any repeater 6 for each terminal device 4. Communication path determination means for automatically determining whether to perform the path is configured.
[0072]
In this system, the central management apparatus 3 also automatically determines the non-relay terminal 4 that performs the wireless communication directly with the central management apparatus 3 without using the repeater 6 as follows.
[0073]
That is, the arithmetic control unit 25 of the central management device 3 performs non-relaying interrogation communication cs to each terminal device 4 prior to the initial step, and the response communication as to the central management device 3 for the interrogation communication cs. The existing terminal 4 is determined as the non-relay terminal 4.
[0074]
[Another embodiment]
Next, another embodiment will be listed.
[0075]
  In the foregoing embodiments, the claims1In carrying out the invention according to the present invention, in each subsequent process, the repeater 6 determined in the preceding process is sequentially changed to the interrogator-side repeater 6, and the interrogator-side repeater 6 relays the stage indeterminate. The interrogator communication cs is performed on the device 6 (the relay device having no response communication as), and the relay device 6 having the response communication as for the interrogation communication cs is assigned to the subordinate of the interrogator relay device 6 at that time. By determining as the repeater 6, the relay route network in which the number of direct upper relays 6 is limited to one for each repeater 6 is determined. Claiming a relay route network with only one upper repeater 61In each of the subsequent processes, the interrogation communication cs is performed from each of the repeaters 6 determined in the previous process to the repeater 6 in which the rank is not determined, and the interrogation communication cs is determined. The repeater 6 with the response communication “as” is determined as a subordinate repeater 6 for one of the interrogating repeaters 6 (including a plurality of cases) that has received the response communication “as” according to an appropriate selection condition. May be.
[0077]
Still further, in order to automatically determine the terminal device 4 of each repeater 6, depending on the case, trial communication between each repeater 6 and each terminal device 4 is performed brute force, The jurisdiction terminal 4 of each repeater 6 may be automatically determined according to appropriate determination conditions based on the result of brute force trial communication.
[0078]
In addition to issuing an alarm when the signal strength of the signal received by the repeater 6 or the terminal 4 is less than the set value after the communication path is determined, or alternatively, after the communication path is determined, A configuration may be adopted in which an alarm is issued when the number of retransmissions due to a transmission error exceeds a set number in signal transmission from.
[0079]
The terminal device 4 may be only one of the single terminal device 4S and the multi terminal device 4M, or a plurality of types of multi terminal devices 4M having different numbers of sensor connections may be used.
[0080]
Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example which connects the sensor 2 via the lead wire 5 with respect to the terminal device 4 arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the monitoring object apparatus 1 was shown, it replaces with this and the terminal device which assembled | attached the sensor 2 was shown. 4 may be attached to the monitoring target device 1 and the state of the monitoring target device 1 may be detected by the assembled sensor 2. The specific structure of the terminal device 4 and the specific sensor 2 for the terminal device 4 may be detected. Each of the connection structures can be changed in various ways.
[0081]
  In the implementation of the present invention, the automatic determination of the communication path by the communication path determination means is not limited to the automatic determination of a new communication path for all of the plurality of terminals 4, but the existing communication path network that has been determined In the case where a terminal 4 or a repeater 6 is additionally installed in a certain situation, a communication path to the additional terminal 4 or the repeater 6 is set as, for example, claim 1In charge ofIn the situation where there is an existing communication path network that has been determined automatically, such as an automatic determination of an additional communication path that is automatically added to an existing communication path network by application of the present invention, etc. In the existing communication path network, for example, the communication path portion for the terminal 4 and the repeater 6 whose layout is changed is included in the existing communication path network.In charge ofThe communication path may be partially changed and automatically determined by applying the invention.
[0082]
The route determination program may be always stored in the storage unit 26 of the central management device 3, or may be given to the central management device 3 only when necessary in a state stored in a CD-ROM or the like.
[0083]
The wireless communication using the repeater 6 between the terminal device 4 and the central management device 3 is not limited to the spread spectrum method, and various methods can be adopted.
[0084]
The device to be monitored is not limited to the steam trap, and may be a valve, a pump, a fan, a tank, a heat exchanger, a machine tool, or the like, and the present invention can be applied to monitoring various devices.
[0085]
In addition, the sensors provided in the monitoring target device are not limited to vibration sensors and temperature sensors, and various sensors can be employed depending on the monitoring target device and the monitoring purpose.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the entire monitoring system.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the repeater
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a central management device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication path network
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of determining a communication path network
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process for determining a communication path network
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a process for determining a communication path network
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process for determining a communication path network
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process of determining a communication path network
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Monitored equipment (steam trap)
2 sensors
3 Central management device, communication route determination means
4 Terminal
6 repeaters
22 Repeater storage
cs interrogation communication
as response communication

Claims

Each of a plurality of monitored devices is equipped with a device status detection sensor, and a plurality of sensor management terminals for exchanging information with the central management device by wireless communication are provided, and each of these terminals is responsible for Connect the equipment sensor of the monitored device,
A device monitoring system comprising a plurality of repeaters for relaying wireless communication between each of these terminals and the central management device,
The system includes the sensor, the terminal, the repeater, and the central management device,
Setting a communication route determining means for automatically determining whether carried out in a single communication path using any of the relay for each terminal device to the wireless communication between the central station and the terminal device,
In configuring the communication path determining means,
Said from the central management apparatus performing interrogation communication of the non-relay in each of the repeater, this interrogation center the Shi pair communications to determine if a response communication to the management apparatus, there is a response communication An initial step of determining all determined repeaters as the highest repeater repeaters ;
After the execution of this initial process, the repeater determined in the previous process is set as the interrogator-side repeater, and the communication state between the interrogator-side repeater and the repeater whose rank is not determined is non-relayed. The central management device performs interrogation communication to each of the relays whose level is not determined via relay by the interrogator-side repeater, and centrally manages this interrogation communication via relay by the interrogator-side repeater. determining whether a response communication to the device, all the repeaters is determined that there is a response communication, and repeat the subsequent steps of determining a lower repeater for one of the interrogation side repeater Determining a relay route network; and
After the execution of the step of determining the relay route network, one repeater whose stage has been determined is used as a caller-side repeater, and the communication state between the caller-side repeater and the terminal is not relayed. In this state, interrogation communication is performed from the central management device to each of the terminals via the relay by the interrogator-side repeater, and this interrogation communication is sent to the central management device via the relay by the interrogator-side repeater. For the terminal that has determined that there is no response communication, the caller side relay is changed to perform the caller communication, and the caller side relay is performed in each of these caller communication. Determining all terminals determined to have received response communication to the central management device via relay by a device as the responsible terminal device of the interrogating relay that relayed the response communication;
A device monitoring system in which a path determination program for causing the arithmetic control unit of the central management device to execute is stored in the storage unit of the central management device .

The relay device according to claim 1, wherein each of the repeaters is configured to additionally register a repeater that assumes the same communication path as the link repeater in its own storage unit every time the subsequent process is repeated. Equipment monitoring system.

The device monitoring according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication path determination means is configured to determine that there is a response communication only when the signal strength of the response communication from the repeater or the terminal is equal to or higher than a set value. system.

The device monitoring according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the communication path determination means is configured to notify the repeater or the terminal device that has finally failed to respond at the communication path determination stage. system.

When the signal strength of the signal received by the repeater or the terminal is less than a set value after the communication path is determined by the communication path determining means, or due to a transmission error in signal transmission from itself The device monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein an alarm is issued when the number of retransmissions exceeds a set number .